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Top Student housing centers in Cape Town, South Africa

Top Rated Student housing centers in Cape Town

Top Reviewed Student housing centers in Cape Town

Reviews

Bandzi
at 2024 Mar 25
Bandzi
at 2024 Mar 25
Recently moved in here and I’m already planning to move to a different student accommodation. Elevator breaks down on a daily basis and water is often yellowish/brown. The laundry facilities are overpriced and often are not available due to there only being 6 washers and 6 dryers in the building. Gym facilities and common areas are underwhelming compared to it’s competitors (Proper Living, The Rezident, even some student residences). Cleaning service is only available once a month. Rooms without a balcony facing the front of the building are poorly ventilated and become uncomfortably hot during the day. Homeless people are often found living outside the building and bother residents (who are STUDENTS). The building is also very noisy but this is to be expected in any student living accommodation. Administration and management is poor, issues are often ignored until more than 5 residents complain and management is often unresponsive, with the reception being closed on weekends. In conclusion if you are considering moving in here I would strongly recommend reviewing other options as Campus Key Observatory is NOT worth the rent it charges.
This place is the best accommodation I have ever had , i love the fact that we don’t share a bathroom and bedroom that’s the highlight, it’s clean and well taken care of building . It’s home away from home . The community is so welcoming and I love the fact they make sure we never get bored they plan events . There is also no noise pollution
Living in this private student accommodation has been an absolute game-changer! The location couldn't be more perfect, situated near campus and surrounded by all the amenities I need. The room itself feels like a cosy haven, with modern furnishings and ample space to study and relax. But what truly sets this place apart is the community VIBE. From the game nights and events in the clubhouse to impromptu study sessions in the study areas, there's always something exciting happening. Plus, the staff goes above and beyond to make sure we're comfortable and happy. It's more than just a place to stay; it's a home away from home. As someone who has experienced both short-term visits and long-term residency within this building, I can confidently affirm: This is the ultimate student accomodation!
Terrible - I would give 0 stars if I could. They let their residents do whatever they want, playing music excessively loud and shouting in outdoor common areas at all hours of the night with no regard for people living nearby. No contact numbers to get ahold of to complain. Clearly no rules in place and I have put up with this for almost 6 years now. Useless. I get it’s student accommodation - and young people want to have fun, but there must be consideration for others living in the vicinity. There are many night clubs to go to nearby.
Good accommodation. Very poor administration. Lots of unilateral changes made to terms of occupation.
Stayed here for two years. Not worth it if you're a student who wants to work in the evenings or actually get some sleep, as the noise issues from parties persist year round. Smoke from the generator used to wake me up some nights as it just flows down the side of the building. No enforcement of quiet hours at all.

I was also shuffled into the wrong room in my second year due to admin issues, but was not informed of this until the day I arrived (admin issues like this are common - the app used to check accounts is completely broken, an issue when no one responds to emails so you can't just ask.)

More importantly, they take forever to respond to issues - maintenance or otherwise! Like other reviewers, I have sent multiple emails asking for my refund to be processed to no avail. If you pay rent on the day and they don't process it before days end, you get threatening emails. If your deposit refund is weeks late, they will simply not respond. Seriously considering the small claims court route as other reviewers have started.
I stayed at CampusKey Obs this year. It is a decent student accommodation but there was a lot of problems. There were constant WiFi issues, I found myself buying more data because we would go days without WiFi. We would also go days without hot water, especially in winter. The elevators constantly have issues when there is loadshedding. The gate system locks us out when there is loadshedding too, it would start working when the generator kicks in which also didn’t work at times. My microwave broke and it was still new. It took a month before CK replaced it. I was at the reception every day, it took me crying actual tears for them to replace the microwave. I would not recommend staying there, especially for the price you pay.
Hendrey Smit
at 2023 Sep 01
Hendrey Smit
at 2023 Sep 01
Awesome place to stay if you're a student. Lovely rooms, communal area etc. Amazing staff. Cheers to Benji and Caspar
Jack Bell
at 2023 Aug 14
Jack Bell
at 2023 Aug 14
Best student accommodation in Cape Town - hands down no competition. Spacious rooms and best staff around, there’s a reason the waiting list is so long.
Ross Taylor
at 2023 Aug 13
Ross Taylor
at 2023 Aug 13
Easily the best student accommodation in Cape Town. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with PL in Observatory, the rooms are really modern and functional. All the staff are really friendly and the security is top notch. Would recommend getting on that waiting list ASAP.
Suyin Cochet
at 2023 May 05
Suyin Cochet
at 2023 May 05
Great place to stay. I've stayed here twice (once for 3 months and the second time was one year) and loved it. Walking distance from the Groote schuur hospital (where I did my internship), walking distance from nice restaurants and bars. The housemates I had were very nice, a great mix of international and local people. Facilities are good, clean rooms, cozy outdoor courtyards, very nice overall. I would go back! Recommended :)
Fernando Moreno
at 2021 Dec 20
Fernando Moreno
at 2021 Dec 20
Looks promising
Ella Matterson
at 2021 Nov 10
Ella Matterson
at 2021 Nov 10
Treated like an absolute queen! Best unit in the building, 311 obviously! Have had the time of my life and the best first year experience I could ask for. Big thanks to Caspar and Benji and the team I've been able to meet; Anela, Helen and the friendliest guards! <33
Chloe Brayshaw
at 2021 Nov 08
Chloe Brayshaw
at 2021 Nov 08
I am a resident and have absolutely loved living here this past year. The building is amazing with excellent security and incredible management. The rooms are big and spacious and the communal areas are great, with a lounge and braai area. This is a wonderful place to come if you are looking for student accommodation.
Gregory Whitehouse
at 2021 Nov 08
Gregory Whitehouse
at 2021 Nov 08
Proper Living is modern and comfortable place to live as a student. As a first year student it is perfect and a suitable option surrounded with such friendly people! I would recommend students in Cape Town to choose Proper Living as their accommodation.
Rachel Day
at 2021 Nov 08
Rachel Day
at 2021 Nov 08
Such a safe and happy environment! Definitely the best option to start off your student life :) Met so many amazing people and shout out to Lukas, always so nice to see a friendly face when coming or going!
Ali ( Almarancha Boesak) is one of the best human beings I have met. She exemplifies great service and excellence. She is patient, kind, respectful and inclusive. She has Ubuntu. Ali and her team are truly exemplary. They greet , they make you feel visible, they constantly checking and updating you.

The space is safe , clean and yes has WiFi.
I find this space great for students.
Jo Pieters
at 2021 Feb 02
Jo Pieters
at 2021 Feb 02
Wow wow wow! What an absolutely funky, modern, high tech, comfortable , clean, trendy student apartment accommodation! Proper Living Nansen Street is first in it's class that's for sure...any student would be lucky to live there. And did I mention...the views are to die for!
Jamie-Lee
at 2021 Jan 15
Jamie-Lee
at 2021 Jan 15
The rooms, kitchens, outdoor spaces are nice. Peaceful during the day. Gets rowdy at night and over weekends. Not conducive especially if you work at night or over weekends or prefer a quiet environment.
Simbarashe Tafa
at 2019 May 23
Simbarashe Tafa
at 2019 May 23
Lovely place to stay for holiday
Enjoyed my stay, very private and modern
Karabo Mathibedi
at 2018 Nov 27
Karabo Mathibedi
at 2018 Nov 27
Quoting from Sunnynathen's review. "Situated in an industrial park area...BUT...once inside you get everything you paid for. A good double room . A good bed with clean sheets . Microwave, kettle , sink, some cutlery, TV ( limited to 7 channels only), arm chair, table with 2 chairs, window that opens, small fridge, storage space , separate bathroom with good shower and ample hot water...and laundry services on site ground floor, the top floor is a common area with kitchen facilities that includes an electric cooker, it's got an open space with amazing views. Security is 24 hours, it's entry by password on the entry doors. Parking space if you are driving. No Breakfast.
Nearest shop is 3 minute walk and the nearest cafe is a 5 minute walk. Uber taxi friendly."

My Review: Nice & comfy studio design for young people and those who don't enjoy being indoors. Satisfying security. Two single beds but it doesn't come with sheets, however when I moved in early July the beds were not leveled. And the shower equipment hanging rail was loose and sitting on the side by the basin and still not fixed (November). You pay R600.00 for parking space in the garage. NOTE: only 6 parking spaces in the garage. Not for all units. Majority parks outside. In your studio, comfy shower design. Only a fridge and microwave, nice arm chair, dining table, study table, no kettle and cuttlery and all that. The rest you get yourself, unless if you want to share with everybody else upstairs/rooftop. FYI: laundry services are not free.

Plumbing problems third time now, no hot water, I reported the situation 12pm today, even now it's still not fixed, therefore, I'm gonna take a shower with cold water tomorrow morning. My plugs still haven't been fixed, I reported the problem a month ago, they go on and off out of the blue. All the security guard did was check the meter box and moved the switches, not by a professional electrician. The landlord must take responsibility not the security guard.
sunny
at 2018 Nov 24
sunny
at 2018 Nov 24
Situated in an industrial park area...BUT...once inside you get everything you paid for. A good double room . A good bed with clean sheets . Microwave, kettle , sink, some cutlery, TV ( limited to 7 channels only), arm chair, table with 2 chairs, window that opens, small fridge, storage space , separate bathroom with good shower and ample hot water...and laundry services on site ground floor, the top floor is a common area with kitchen facilities that includes an electric cooker, it's got an open space with amazing views. Security is 24 hours, it's entry by password on the entry doors. Parking space if you are driving. No Breakfast.
Nearest shop is 3 minute walk and the nearest cafe is a 5 minute walk. Uber taxi friendly.
Jason
at 2018 Oct 10
Jason
at 2018 Oct 10
Amazing interior, the area outside is a bit dangerous but there is security patrolling
Ibo Abader
at 2018 Jul 08
Ibo Abader
at 2018 Jul 08
Short and long term rentals. Check our reviews on Airbnb
Juan Oliver
at 2017 Sep 07
Juan Oliver
at 2017 Sep 07
Interesting setup for a young professional or single student. The rooms are nicely designed, however the kitchen setup in the rooms might not be for everyone.
Kim Bruk-Jackson
at 2017 Aug 29
Kim Bruk-Jackson
at 2017 Aug 29
Good student accommodation. Pity about the WiFi which doesn't really work. Open cold air ventilation in rooms in winter is icy. Convenient location for students.
Richard Bolland
at 2017 Jan 30
Richard Bolland
at 2017 Jan 30
I used Blake House to host two international interns working for my company. Blake House was in a great spot in Obs, it was clean, friendly and had everything one needs to cook, clean and get some rest. They offer a great service and an opportunity for internationals to meet new people. Their communication was excellent and I would recommend them to anyone.
Tammy Germany
at 2017 Jan 17
Tammy Germany
at 2017 Jan 17
Hello! I am the 'friend' Agnes speaks of in her bad review. I would like to clarify a few things. Ed kindly allowed Agnes to rent her room out to someone else while she travelled to help cover her costs. Agnes was not robbed. If you send someone into your room to collect your belongings (who doesn't know what you own) things will get lost. Ed offered another room to Agnes when she complained about the noise, but of course that wasn’t good enough either. After all that Ed returned the deposit and funds so that she could find another place to stay. I would still recommend Blake House to any of my friends. Ed really goes the extra mile and is an amazing human being.
Agnes Przystupa
at 2016 Dec 30
Agnes Przystupa
at 2016 Dec 30
A terrible place and horrendous experience :( My first time in South Africa and I got robbed in the house.. by the housemates.. I rented my room to a work colleague of my friend from LONDON for 2 weeks and then when I was away to Garden Route, all my stuff was moved from one room to another without my consent or knowledge from the booking agent, the Irish guy called Ed 0Really, who was nothing but nasty and mean to me. Lots of things got lost/stolen during the sudden move, including all my cables that were in a bag in a pocket with a zip and my 2 expensive hoodies in the wardrobe. Nobody wanted to help and nobody wanted to claim responsibility. I even contacted the owner of Blake House but with no response. Felt pretty traumatised and heart-broken as it was a friend of a friend and the trust was completely shattered. The new people were moved into my room (for which I paid all in advance, period of 2months), while all my valuables were still in the safe in the room. It was a scary, stressful and really horrible experience. I was blamed for everything and everything was turned against me when I tried to recover my things.
The room I had was next to the kitchen in the first part of the house and it was horribly loud due to the noise in the living room all the time, every day till late at night. Blake House is full of young disrespectful students who make terrible mess and noise and do not care about people living around them :(
It is better to stay in a hostel in CapeTown and live in a dormitory instead of staying in Blake House where it is unsafe and when unpleasant things happen, the unprofessional booking agent, Ed Oreally, tries to escape the responsibility and blames everything on the client :(
If you cannot trust your friends, then who can you trust?.. Really nasty and really sad as I have never lost and I had never anything stolen in my whole life while travelling :(
Chiara Lembo
at 2014 Aug 20
Chiara Lembo
at 2014 Aug 20
Nice place, great people! I'm enjoying my stay here. The house is well furnished and provided with a lots of comforts, close to supermarkets, shops, public transports and town. Rooms are nice, common areas too. And definitly awesome housemates! I'm having for sure a good experience here!
Mirette Fawzy
at 2014 Aug 18
Mirette Fawzy
at 2014 Aug 18
Great place with variety of people. Enjoying my stay there! You can socialize when you want to, and go to your own room when you need privacy or quiet environment for study/work. Has a huge kitchen area if you love to cook :)
Ed O'Reilly
at 2014 May 26
Ed O'Reilly
at 2014 May 26
The house is beautifully finished. It has great common areas inside and out, lounge with DSTV, braai areas. The room is furnished, neat and equipped with an on suite bathroom. There is off street parking which I love and I feel secure behind the electric fences and with so many house mates milling about.

It's also great to live with such an interesting mix of different people and nationalities to interact with.

We're close to town and the train station which makes getting around easy and Obz itself has so many cool bars and restaurants to enjoy close to home.

I am really enjoying living here at the moment!